Fire Chief Jon Canada said the midday blaze near Dorsey Street was caused by an electrical short.
"About 50 percent of the structure was a loss, and it did about $80,000 worth of damage," he said.
Canada said the boarding home's seven residents were not inside the brick house at the time of the fire, and the building's owner has found another place for them to stay.
He said the blaze was not hard to spot with its billowing smoke and flame at the intersection of Jesse Jewell and Dorsey Street near the downtown area.
"We got several calls on this," Canada said. "Upon arrival we did have heavy smoke and flames coming from both the front and rear of the structure."
Firefighters wasted no time bringing that flame and smoke under control.
"Our crews made a quick knockdown on the fire. It did extend to the attic area and the cause is under investigation," Canada added.
He said no one was inside the brick house and no firefighters were injured.
Jesse Jewell Parkway was closed until firefighters could put out hot spots on the roof and clear their equipment from the street.
Fire fighters put out attic hot spots
More information known about the fire than shut down Jesse Jewell Parkway Friday
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